Most families in Apopka's Ukrainian community live in the neighborhood surrounding the church at 245 Lake McCoy Drive.

The holiday observances will demonstrate the culture and customs of the Ukraine, a part of the Soviet Union.

The Blessing of the Baskets Easter service will be from 10 a.m. until about noon Sunday.

By the Ukrainian calendar, Easter falls on a different date than the one observed by most American Christians. Most observed Easter on March 30.

Families will bring baskets lined with embroidered linen and filled with decorated eggs, Easter breads, meats and other holiday foods to be blessed by the priest.

Rosale Kowalchuk Hand, a Ukrainian-American who lives in Apopka and who long has been involved in efforts to make Central Florida residents more aware of the Ukrainian customs and the settlement's contributions to the community, said the Easter service is beautiful and memorable.

The Mother's Day celebration will include a traditional Ukrainian dinner with ham, sausage and bread that non-Ukrainians can sample for a taste of authentic Ukrainian cooking and baking.

The dinner will begin at 12:30 p.m. after the regular Sunday morning service. Hand said a nominal fee will be charged for the meal. Reservations are not necessary.

The dinner is sponsored by women of the church. Betty Bodnarczuk and Anna Krawczuk are organizing it.

A preview of the settlement's holiday observances was presented last weekend at the Apopka Art and Foliage Festival. Colorful Ukrainian costumes were worn by some residents, who also demonstrated such crafts as intricate egg art, pottery, embroidery and woodcarving.

For details about the Blessing of the Baskets or the dinner, call Hand at 886-4644.